Emery says: 'People don't speed on pot' "A stoned driver is a safe driver"

[fujiyama]

http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/soundoff/story.html?id=e5dbc922-05b1-40ac-8bf3-9e0a17d64c70
A stoned driver is a safer driver, B.C.'s leading marijuana advocate says.

"Cannabis will likely improve your driving," Marc Emery, president of the B.C. Marijuana Party, said yesterday. "Marijuana doesn't impair you in driving. People don't speed on pot. People go slower, they're more cautious. They're not in a rush to get to where they're going."

On Monday, the federal government reintroduced legislation to decriminalize pot possession for personal use, and retabled a bill to give police the power to make drivers submit to drug testing. Emery argued that his experience in the marijuana culture shows driving while high is safe.

"I've smoked every day of my life and I've driven. I've never had an accident in 26 years of driving," he said. "I've been around pot people all my life and I don't know anybody who's had an accident while they've been stoned."

[Patiod]

1. Worst crime: shoplifting Twinkies

I've always argued that, as opposed to all the problems sparked by alcohol and "hard" drugs, dope smokers' worst crime is maybe shoplifting Twinkies at the local 7/11

[democracyindanger]

21. Nope, worst crime is bogarting the joint.

[ArkDem]

2. Yes and

[Village Idiot]

3. There are a number of studies that back up this claim:

http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread1002.shtml


http://www.ccguide.org.uk/driving.html

[billbuckhead]

4. Car and Driver magazine did a study 30 years ago

and found that using a small amount of marijuana actually helped a driver go through a handling course quicker, larger amounts however did cause a deterioration of ability. At the same time they did a comparison with alcohol and even small amount caused an immmediate deterioration.

[ArkDem]

9. Great Sources!

[gulfcoastliberal]

5. This is so true

Trust me, I know.

[eataTREE]

6. I think Marc Emery is fucking high.

(Ba-dump CHING!)

[JAbuchan08]

7. I would disagree,

I had a friend who was stopped and got a DWI after he ran a red light stoned. I don't drive stoned - ever.

[RobinA]

10. Back in the Day

when I drove stoned I was more likely to stop at a green light than to run a red one.

[cheezus]

8. way to set back the cause of legalization, jackass

I know people who drive drunk all the time and have never had an accident... that doesn't mean they're not more dangerous.

[norml]

14. I think it's an important question to ask. What real impairment is there?

Because it's something that's lied about to justify keeping it illegal.

[mark414]

11. this is true

that is all

[THUNDER HANDS]

12. you shouldn't drive impared at all, period

Stoned, drunk, horny. Whatever. :D

[norml]

13. Then test me for impairment,not THC content.

Because all that nonsense about reaction time,or motor skills impairment is just jive. Maybe if a concentrated laboratory version of THC was administered you might be able to construct a study that showed impairment,and even then the level would not come close to what you get with pills,and booze.

[THUNDER HANDS]

15. that's not the point

Just a question of being responsible. What one does in their own home is their own business, but if I'm driving my little Honda Accord next to some 8,000-lb Hummer I'd like to think the driver of that Hummer wasn't on some of the best BC bud available in the Northeast.

I'm just saying, when you're in public, act responsible and don't impare youself and get behind the wheel.


Oh, and reaction time is slowed. Which is why stoned drivers drive slower, because they know that going 80 probably isn't sound policy after 10 bong hits.

[mark414]

16. mmm 10 bong hits

[norml]

18. With that rational pot will stay banned

because it does stay in your system. Pot smokers would have to wait days,if not weeks,after smoking before they could drive,if no THC in the body is the standard. This would not be practical,so it could never be legalized,for the sake of public safety. The whole issue is bogus,and if you were a regular toker you'd know it. Give me ten bong hits of the best,and see how I drive. You wouldn't be able to tell any difference. Sure I'm for no toking while driving,because like a cell phone,it's a distraction,but a ban on driving with any THC in your system is something to oppose.

[THUNDER HANDS]

19. I didn't say a ban with any in your system

I just said you shouldn't smoke and drive - or drive immediately after smoking - hence, impaired.

You wouldn't do it if you had a baby in the car with you. And I'm sure the person on the road who does would appreciate it if you weren't high when you were driving.

[norml]

22. I differ with you,but have made my points already.

What is the real level of impairment,and how much concern does it actually require? Also a lot of things are justified with the "for the sake of the children" argument. I cetainly don't want to smush any babies,and in my many stoned years behind the wheel I've never caused any personal injury to anyone. The times I get most worried when behind the wheel,are the times when I'm really tired. Drinking,and driving is entirely out of the question,unless it's a very small amount.

[norml]

23. By the way these are my own opinions. norml is just my user name

I in no way represent any organization. It's just an issue I'm glad to stand up for.

[bo44]

20. wholehearted agree with Magic Rat

I am lucky I never killed anyone when I was a stoner. Almost did in fact. Blew through a crosswalk and nearly drilled three people. Driving while high is for morons and freepers.

[Mizmoon]

24. I'm rolling my eyes n/t

[norml]

27. Gee,do you suppose you might have blown through that crosswalk

even if you hadn't been stoned?

[Nikia]

17. I still think large amounts are dangerous

Especially for people not used to driving impaired. You shouldn't drive when you are really tired or upset either or while taking many OTC and prescription drugs. The problem is that I don't think that there are really drug tests that would be equivalent to a breathalyzer. Smoking a few days before, has no effect on someone's driving ability. Driving a few hours after light to moderate use probably is not too unsafe, certainly not the same as smoking while driving or within 15 minutes of smoking. Just because they do not yet have an effective lab test though doesn't mean that marijuana should be illegal for that reason alone. Many people who smoke have no intention of driving or doing anything dangerous while they are high.

[DS1]

25. If my XBOX is any indication

With a touch of weed I'd run rings around Mario Andretti, any more and I'd be underneath the safety truck.

[TX-RAT]

26. 21 yrs in law enforcement

Never had to respond to a Marijuana related domestic, never had to respond to a marijuana related accident.
I sure can't say that about alcohol.

[Digit]

28. I had trouble ordering chicken breasts at a chicken fast food place.

I could not stop giggling. That was 30 years ago.
Damn, I miss those times.